Red Hot

by Cheryl Alldis

  ‘Unless he lives on his own in the back of whoop whoop… But then, he uses a phone in the valley somewhere to make his sinister calls. Who the hell and where the hell is this maniac?’

  ‘Mate, fuck knows… What’s the latest on the Gap fire? You get any leads when you went out there earlier?’ Bennett queried.

  ‘Not a thing. No evidence of coils, probably fuel… Cigarette dropped in the right place, wouldn’t have taken much That bush was as dry as a chip!’

  ***

  Mary stepped from the bathtub, her face red, her eyes swollen. As she padded up the hallway towards her bedroom, her eyes fell on the liquor arranged on the sideboard. She hadn’t had a drink for more than a year. She hadn’t wanted it, being so happy with Karl that she hadn’t thought of drinking. Even though Harvey had a way of upsetting her and lately had been worse, she still hadn’t reached for the drink.

  Now, with the news of Karl and not being allowed in to see him to top it off, she longed for a drink. As she stood by the sideboard wrapped in a towel, she slid her hand over the scotch bottle almost lovingly. Slowly, her fingers came to the lid.

  ‘Just one,’ she whispered. ‘It’ll calm my nerves.’

  ***

  ‘So you’re saying they can fix his face? Oh my poor dear Karl, how he must be suffering.’ Emmie wept.

  Sam had broken the news to her as gently as possible. Sam knew she was trying hard but she couldn’t stop her tears from trickling down her face. She looked up at him and swallowed hard, then gave in and wept bitterly.

  ‘Mum, are you alright?’ Sam asked worriedly.

  ‘Yes son, don’t worry, I’m alright.’ She sniffed. ‘I intend on staying well. Karl needs me. The only way I can be there for him is to make sure my old ticker doesn’t go bung again.’ Emmie tapped her chest as she spoke.

  ‘Atta girl.’ Sam smiled and patted her hand affectionately.

  The rest of the family came into Emmie’s room then and were pleased at her determination to stay calm.

  ‘Excuse me,’ a nurse called and beckoned to Digger

  ‘I’ll be back in a sec, Sam,’ he said, looking questioningly at the nurse.

  Sam could see them talking near the door. Dig gestured at him to join them. After a quick discussion, Dig arranged for Ellie and Win to get a taxi home as he and Sam were needed in Karl’s room.

  Mary had decided to visit… and she was drunk!

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  ‘You have to let me see him… I love him… He’d want to see me!’ Mary slurred.

  ‘Ma’am… You can’t go in, especially in your condition. You would only upset Mr Mason. He needs his rest. I’m sorry, but you must leave,’ insisted the sister in charge.

  ‘But you don’t understand. How could you? You starched… stiff… bitch!’ Mary’s voice was rising louder and louder.

  ‘Shit, I can hear her from here,’ Digger said to Sam as they hurried up the corridor.

  ‘You can’t stop me! I’m going to see my Karl! I love him and I am going to see him!’ Mary slurred as she staggered toward Karl’s door.

  ‘Oh no you don’t, Mary!’ Sam called.

  She turned and stared at him, her face streaked with tears and mascara. Digger stepped forwards and grabbed her by both arms. With a nod to the sister, he half carried, half dragged Mary outside.

  Sam approached the desk to enquire about Karl. He was told he could go in and see his brother.

  Karl was awake, one side of his head and face bandaged. He looked across at Sam as he entered the room.

  ‘Hey, mate. Nurses lookin’ after you okay?’

  ‘Humph! I just wanna get outta here!’ Karl growled.

  ‘Yeah, well that’ll be a while, buddy. You gotta bit o’ mendin’ to do before you go anywhere!’

  ‘Sam… Did I hear Mary’s voice out there?’

  Sam hesitated. He didn’t want to add to his brother’s distress, but he realised he would have to tell him something.

  ‘No bullshit, Sam! For fuck’s sake! I’m a bit dopey from that shit they bloody gave me, but I’m not stupid or deaf!’ Karl said angrily.

  ‘Okay… Okay. Shit, they don’t know what kind of patient they have on their hands, do they?’

  ‘Well?’ Karl persisted.

  ‘Yes, she was here. She’s upset because she’s not allowed in to see you.’

  ‘I thought she’d be upset. She sounded pissed though. Look, right now I only want you and Ellie and Win… and Digger. Until they can sort out my face, I don’t want anybody to see me like this, especially Mary, you understand?’

  Sam nodded, thinking to himself how it must feel to have the injuries Karl endured. He ignored the bit about Mary being drunk.

  The family had been warned by the hospital psychologist that Karl could have many reactions, one being depression and rejection. They could only go along with his wishes.

  Karl and Mary’s affair had come to light several months ago and the family had accepted their choices. They wisely didn’t speak of it in Harvey’s presence, even though everyone was aware he was seeing Ellie. She didn’t mention it to Harvey either. They weren’t sure if he knew about it, thinking it would all come out in the open in due course.

  ‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave’.

  Digger drove Mary back to her property. At least she had sense not to drive all the way into town in her condition.

  Driving up to the house, he was pleased to see Mick standing by the stables.

  As he walked around to Mary’s side of the car, Mick approached.

  ‘What’s the problem here?’ he asked.

  Digger indicated for Mick to follow them inside and a sobbing Mary didn’t argue when Digger put her to bed and covered her with the bedspread. She was asleep in no time.

  He explained to Mick what had happened. He didn’t like leaving Mary but Mick suggested she would sleep for hours and Harvey would be home soon.

  Mick watched thoughtfully as he drove away.

  ‘Bloody weird family. Always were!’ he muttered, heading back to the stables.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The upheaval in the valley settled for the moment. Again, the firebug had gone underground… for now. Emmie was home and progressing well. She had insisted on making regular visits to a very depressed Karl, and now the latest visit was the one she had been waiting for. It held the news that Karl was able to come home in a few days. He would be scarred badly, but in time he could have more skin grafts and he should be almost as good as new.

  He still refused to see Mary. There were rumours going around the valley about her drinking but he wouldn’t budge.

  Beth was enjoying living at Kia-Ora. She had a lovely room. Emmie insisted she make her own with whatever she wanted to put in it. She also loved doing a few gigs with Johnny Hansen’s band. Her relationship with Francis was comfortable but she made sure she didn’t let it get out of hand. Living under the same roof would become complicated if they became lovers. Though Francis very much wanted to take the friendship to the next level.

  Emmie had grown closer to Beth. She had further confided in Emmie about her search for her biological parents. The more Emmie thought about it, the more she realised that she had to confront her daughters with her suspicions.

  Tammi got the job she wanted at the TV station and was ecstatic. The family welcomed some good news after all the turmoil.

  The Christmas dance was a couple of weeks away and the whole valley was looking forward to it, though the men would be still patrolling regardless.

  ***

  He woke from a deep sleep with a start.

  ‘Shit… me bloody head! Hell, I haven’t tied one on like that for a while.’ His voice sounded course and he tried to swallow but his throat was parched and his lips dry. He sat up and something fluttered to the floor. He glanced and there beside the bed, blue eyes stared up at him.

  ‘God… look what you do ta me,’ he whispered, feeling for the hardness in his groin.

  Unzipping his tr
ousers, he released his erect penis. He hated it; to any other man this was sexual pleasure, to this man it was torture.

  ‘You bitch!’ he gasped as he satisfied his tortuous tension.

  ***

  The sun shone brilliantly, catching the silver in Emmie’s hair as she sat on the back veranda of Kia-Ora. Ellie and Win were with her; they knew she had something important to discuss. She had that look in her eye.

  ‘Okay, Mum, what is it? Is it Karl?’ Ellie asked curiously.

  ‘No love… Not poor Karl. Win, move closer dear.’ She beckoned Win to her.

  ‘Now, as you know, Beth and I have grown very close. She’s confided in me about something. Now I feel it’s time I confided in you and asked your opinion on a matter which I firmly feel needs our attention.’ She paused, looking seriously at her two daughters.

  ‘Go on… You’ve aroused our curiosity,’ Ellie urged.

  Emmie continued, repeating the story Beth had told her. How her mother had told her on her death bed that she was adopted and her natural mother came from a respectable Albury family. Beth was now in search of her parents… especially her mother!

  ‘Now do you see why I’m concerned?’ Emmie said.

  No one heard the footsteps beside the house. When the new arrival heard the women’s voices, he stopped and listened intently, interest in this particular conversation evident on his rugged face. He had come to see Digger about some fruit boxes but this was a complete surprise and the information he needed.

  Win had been listening carefully to her mother when a thought hit her and she paled, looking her mother in the face, completely shocked.

  ‘Mum! You don’t think… oh no! My God, it can’t possibly be… Everyone’s been saying she resembles someone.’

  Ellie had instantly caught on to what they were thinking.

  ‘Yes, but… It can’t be, surely not! Mum?’ Ellie stammered.

  ‘Could one of you go and get the photo? You know where I keep it, Ellie,’ Emmie asked softly.

  Ellie did as her mother asked.

  ‘Mum, if Beth is who you think she is… Oh my God, what a mess. What about Francis?’ Win had tears in her eyes.

  ‘That’s why I had to get you and Ellie on your own. I could see the relationship growing and I have to be certain.’

  Ellie returned to the veranda with the photo.

  The figure at the side of the house was deathly still, riveted to the spot. He wiped his brow with a dirty handkerchief. This was the information he had searched for at Kia-Ora when everyone was out. Now it had fallen in his lap and he couldn’t believe his ears!

  ‘Here, Mum, but how will this help? It’s only a baby photo.’ Ellie passed the photo to Emmie.

  ‘I know, love.’ She reached into her apron pocket. ‘Here is the one Beth gave me of her own. Her mother had it tucked away since she was born as well; the hospital gave her the same photo.’

  Win took both photos from Emmie. Ellie leaned in closer.

  Win held the baby photos side by side. Blue eyes met blue eyes. They looked at their mother. She nodded and covered her mouth with her wrinkled old hand. A tear escaped from behind her glasses.

  ‘She’s my granddaughter… and your daughter!’ she whispered, looking directly into shocked blue eyes.

  He slipped away as silently as he had arrived…

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  The dinner table was exceptionally quiet, the only sound being the clatter of knives and forks against dinner plates. Kia-Ora was normally alive with chatter at evening mealtime.

  The atmosphere was strained and only three people at the table knew why. Everyone else at the table assumed it was due to Karl. The three women had made a pact to be as normal as possible until they decided what to do next.

  ‘I’m so glad Uncle Karl is coming home tomorrow. When I went to see him last night, he seemed a little bit brighter. At least he let me visit to give him my good news. He’s really pleased about my new job. He reckons I’ll be on the telly next!’ Tammi chattered gaily.

  ‘I’m glad he’ll be back home with us. I’m sure it will help his recovery,’ Emmie added.

  ‘The dance is Saturday night. Hasn’t it come up quickly?’ Francis looked at Kathy and then at Tammi. ‘It’s great. Johnny’s playing this year,’ he added. ‘Anyway, Kath, what’s happened to Eddie? You’re not usually home on a Wednesday night!’

  ‘I thought you’d soon be asking about that, sticky beak!’ Kathy grinned and continued. ‘I s’pose I’d better let you know that Eddie and I are remaining friends but… I’ve decided I want to go out and mix a lot more with my friends. It’s my decision, okay!’

  Everyone at the table had paused to listen. Francis took Beth’s hand and this did not go unnoticed by Emmie.

  Win was secretly relieved by Kathy’s decision. When she looked at Dig, she knew he was as well.

  ***

  Mary was wiping the sink after washing their dinner things. She knew Harvey had been with Ellie that day; he was often late and that told her the lovers had been together again.

  ‘He can go to hell,’ she slurred. ‘The only person that matters to me is Karl.’ She didn’t hear Harvey walk in behind her.

  ‘What did you say, Mary?’

  She swung around to look at him, stumbling a little. ‘I said you can go to hell, Harv darling. Hell… got it? H… E… L… L!’ she spelt the word out slowly.

  ‘I know why you kept topping up my glass over dinner while you talked money… My money!’

  Harvey looked furious.

  She kept on, deliberately provoking him. ‘You don’t fool me, you idiot. You can get me as drunk as you want and I still won’t give you a cracker, so what’re you gonna do now, loser?’

  In a flash, his hand slapped her hard across the face, sending her reeling backwards. He caught her before she fell and her head jerked to one side. Taking a few seconds to grasp what had happened, she turned to meet Harvey eye to eye.

  ‘That, you bastard, is the last time you will ever do that… the very last time! As for any money… I wouldn’t give you a shortcut to the shit house. Now let me go!’ Mary ground the words out between her clenched teeth.

  Harvey was shocked at what he had done and dropped her arm, releasing her. As he turned to walk away, Mary added, ‘I’m sure Ellie would like to know about the real Harvey… You’re not the Harvey the Masons think you are.’

  He glared at her and continued out the back door.

  ***

  ‘Well I’ll be buggered! That wasn’t so hard after all. I’ve found ya right here under me nose… Those eyes. My mother was right, bless her heart, when she told me she thought ya existed. I found it hard to believe, but now I know and I have to see ya again!’ He drifted off to sleep rambling about making plans for his two blue eyed beauties!

  ***

  As she pulled to a stop outside Kia-Ora, Mary touched her bruised cheek. Harvey hitting her last night had left an obvious welt on her face.

  ‘I’ll show Ellie just what a mongrel you are, Harvey. It’s about time.’

  Hazel answered the front door, surprise showing on her face as she greeted Mary.

  ‘Hello, Hazel. I’d like to see Ellie, if I may,’ Mary asked politely.

  Hazel showed her in and Emmie met them in the hallway.

  ‘Why Mary dear, it’s lovely to see you.’ Emmie touched Mary’s arm in a kindly gesture.

  ‘Nice to see you too, Emmie. I hope you’re feeling better. I need to have a word with Ellie though, it’s important.’

  ‘Mary dear, you know that you are welcome here anytime. I know that you haven’t seen Karl since before the accident; that must be very hard on you. I think he should see you now, when you’ve seen Ellie. He’s up in his room. I don’t think he would mind if you went to him, love.’

  ‘Emmie, I didn’t know he was home from hospital. I don’t want to upset him!’

  ‘My dear, sometimes people just don’t realise what’s good for them until it’s put in front of t
hem, believe me!’ Emmie winked.

  ‘Okay Emmie, I’ll trust you.’ Mary gave a weak smile. Emmie had noticed her face and decided against commenting; she had a fairly good idea how the mark got there.

  Mary walked out to the kitchen where Ellie was sitting alone. ‘Mary… What can I do for you?’ Ellie was surprised to see Mary in the doorway.

  ‘Ellie, please understand; I haven’t come here to argue. I’ve come to warn you.’

  ‘Warn me! Don’t start, Mary!’ Ellie stood up.

  ‘Ellie, sit down, hear me out. It’s not what you think.’

  Ellie sat down again, sighing loudly. She decided to hear Mary out. She didn’t want any upsets in the house for both Emmie and Karl’s sake.

  ‘I suppose you’ve noticed the mark on my cheek. Well, Harvey did it. Yes, I have been drinking lately… I’m sure the whole valley knows I’ve been drinking again. Ellie, you have to believe me, Harvey is no good! He’s been trying to bleed me dry for years. I’ve handed over money several times throughout our marriage, Ellie. He always blows it.’

  She drew a deep breath. ‘Every business he’s started, he’s ruined. There was always another woman lurking in the background somewhere. All I want to do is warn you. If he starts asking you for money… Well, just be aware of what I’ve told you, that’s all. Ellie, you deserve better.’ Mary turned to walk away and Ellie stopped her.

  ‘Why are you telling me this now, Mary? We’ve never seen eye to eye. It wasn’t long ago that you wanted Harvey back!’ Ellie stated.

  Mary smiled at her and slowly shook her head, blonde tendrils of hair moving around her face.

  ‘I know… I know, Ellie. He has a way about him. He’s very convincing when he wants to be. I made a huge mistake marrying him; I think it was just dependency. Now I’ve had enough. I can assure you, I don’t want the bastard. That’s not the reason I’m here; he’s made me deeply unhappy for years now.’